4 Steps to Handling Plumbing Emergencies

Sometimes a plunger just won’t cut it. Today’s article will review the steps you need to take to handle plumbing emergencies in a manner that will minimize both damage and aggravation. We will also take a closer look at some of the things you can do to prevent these emergencies from happening in the first place.

Plan Ahead: As with any potential problem around the home, it always pays to be prepared for the worst. When it comes to plumbing emergencies, your best bet is to familiarize yourself with local 24/7 emergency plumbing services, and have their number on hand if the need arises. If the problem is truly an emergency, there is a strong possibility that you will require the intervention of a professional to solve it.

Shut off the water: Shutting off the water is always a safe first step to take when you encounter a plumbing emergency. If it’s a localized problem in the bathroom or around the sink, turn of the valve located nearby by rotating it clockwise. If the problem is more serious, turn off the main water valve which will likely be located either in your basement or outside your home (it will help if you familiarize yourself with its location in advance). Do not attempt to run water down a clogged pipe, this will only make things worse.

Seek professional assistance: Since you’ve read this article and already planned ahead, you have the number of a 24/7 emergency plumber at your fingertips. Try to remain calm and provide them with as much information as possible about the problem, this may involve you examining different areas of your home to determine whether the issue is localized or more widespread. Emergency plumbers will be able to help guide you through the first stages of addressing the issue.

Do what you can ( Tapes, buckets, towels, fans): Aside from clearing out your belongings from the troubled areas you will find that tape, buckets, fans and towels are your three best friends in a plumbing emergency. Any strong tape you have around the house may be valuable to temporarily stop small leaks and thick absorbent house towels will be very important to prevent costly water damage until the problem can be resolved by a professional. Never let water sit for too long as this will inevitably lead to expensive damage. Having a spare bucket on hand and turning on fans and ventilation systems are other important steps to take.

Many of the most frequently encountered plumbing emergencies occur from some form of misuse of toilets or garbage disposals. Be mindful of what you put in your pipes and consider installing a leak detection system which could end up saving you serious money in the long term. Other than that, be mindful that after 10+ years your water heater may be more likely to fail, so stay on top of the age of the technology in your home.

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